Paisley Park has been the horse of a lifetime for Emma Lavelle and owner Andrew Gemmell and even at the age of 10 is still putting up superb performances which has seen his trainer aim him at a third Grade One Long Walk Hurdle.
A horse with a superb roster of wins, going seven races unbeaten between 2018 and 2019, whilst also picking up races like the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle on two occasions, Stayers' Hurdle, Three Cleeve Hurdles and a Long Distance Hurdle from Newbury.
Making his seasonal debut this term in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury he ran a stormer to finish second in a photo-finish to long time leader champ.
Showing that he still retains all of his staying ability event at the age of 10, Lavelle will now send him to Ascot where he will go in search of his third Long Walk Hurdle.
A gripper!🏇
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 25, 2022
Champ clings on as Paisley Park finishes strongly in a pulsationg finish to the Grade 2 @Coral Long Distance Hurdle @NewburyRacing. What a race!@JJONeillJnr | @sevenbarrows pic.twitter.com/Tyuwt93O1v
(Credit ATR) Owner Andrew Gemmell said: “We could not have asked for more than he did – he ran an absolute cracker.
“It won’t be far off from being one of the races of the season. It was an absolute thriller. Races like that are what turns people onto the sport, one hundred per cent. It was brilliant – a really good race.
“He is hugely consistent and the only time he lets himself down is when he decides not to start.
“He stayed on, and the ground was not as quite as soft as he wanted. I think he will definitely come on for it.”
Gemmell added: “Paisley Park is really well and has taken the race in his stride. We will go to the Long Walk, then the Cleeve, and then hopefully get to the Stayers’ Hurdle.
“He has won the Long Walk twice and hopefully we can do it again. I’d love to see him do it again. The Long Walk and The Cleeve would be brilliant – it would be great to see him win that for a fourth time!”